Towel warming apparatus

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate generally to a heated towel rack that includes at least one lateral support, at least one forced air heating unit in fluid communication with a channel within a lateral support, and at least one cross bar coupled to the at least one lateral support. The at least one cross bar including at least one vent that traverses into a conduit within the cross bar. The channel is in fluid communication with the at least one vent by way of the conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/651,289 filed on Mar. 26, 2020, whichapplication is a filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of International ApplicationNo. PCT/US2019/019095 filed Feb. 22, 2019, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/634,045 filed Feb. 22, 2018by James Joseph Wallander and entitled “Towel Warming Apparatus” whichis incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Using a warm and dry towel to dry oneself off is a comforting feelingand preferable alternative to a damp cold towel. In order to havereadily available warm dry towels, some users utilize towel warmers.While these towel warmers provide some warmth, they do not evenlywarm/dry towels and mostly heat the towel at the point of contact.Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus to evenly warm and dry atowel.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a garment drying rack may comprise at least onelateral support comprising a channel within the interior of the lateralsupport; at least one forced air unit in fluid communication with thechannel within the lateral support configured to generate airflow intothe channel; a plurality of cross bars comprising conduit positionedwithin the interior of the cross bars, wherein the conduit is in fluidcommunication with the channel; and a plurality of vents in fluidcommunication with the conduit, the channel being in fluid communicationwith the plurality of vents by way of the conduit.

In an embodiment, a method for assembling a towel drying rack maycomprise connecting one or more lateral supports to a plurality of crossbars; fluidly connecting a channel within at least one of the lateralsupports to conduit within each of the plurality of cross bars; fluidlyconnecting the conduit with a plurality of vents formed into the crossbars, wherein the vents are configured to direct airflow out of thetowel drying rack; and fluidly connecting a forced air unit to at leastone of the channel and the conduit.

In an embodiment, a heated towel rack may comprise at least two lateralsupports; at least one forced air heating unit in fluid communicationwith a channel within a lateral support; a plurality of cross bars beingcoupled between the at least two lateral supports; each cross bar of theplurality of cross bars comprises a plurality of vents that traverseinto a conduit within the cross bar; and the channel being in fluidcommunication with the plurality of vents by way of the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a heated towel rack 100 with atowel, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the heated towel rack 100 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the heated towel rack 100 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial sectional view of the heated towel rack 100in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the heated towel rack 100 inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial isometric view of the heated towel rack 100in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial isometric view of the heated towel rack 100in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of an attachable aroma therapyelement 600 in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a heated towel rack 900 inaccordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a heated towel rack is provided asan apparatus for heating and/or drying towels. The heated towel rack maycomprise a plurality of cross bars vertically arranged between one ormore lateral support structures that serve as the racks a user on whicha user may be able to hang a towel or other garment. At least one crossbar of the plurality of cross bars may include at least one ventconfigured to evenly distribute heated (or non-heated) air to the towelor garment, allowing the towel or garment to be evenly warmed and/ordried. In some embodiments, a plurality of cross bars may comprise aplurality of vents.

In some embodiments, a heated towel rack may include one or more (insome embodiments, two) lateral supports, at least one forced air heatingunit in fluid communication with at least one channel within a lateralsupport, and a plurality of cross bars coupled between the one or morelateral supports. At least one cross bar of the plurality of cross barsmay include at least one vent that traverses into a conduit within thecross bar. The channel of the lateral support may be in fluidcommunication with the at least one vent by way of the conduit of thecross bar. In some configurations, the at least one cross bar may berotatably coupled with the at least one lateral support. The rotatablecoupling between the cross bar(s) and the lateral support(s) would allowfor the rotation of individual cross bars allowing a user to direct theangle of the vent(s) in order to redirect forced heated air to theirliking.

In some embodiments, the at least one forced air heating unit mayinclude at least one heating element, a fan, and a controller. Thecontroller may be operatively coupled to the at least one heatingelement and the fan in order to control air temperature and airflowthrough the vent(s).

In some embodiments, the heated towel rack may include a first lateralsupport and a second lateral support. The first lateral support and thesecond lateral support may be differentiated by the attachment of theforced air heating unit. For example, the first lateral support may becoupled to at least one forced air heating unit, while the secondlateral support may lack any direct coupling to a forced air heatingunit. In alternative embodiments, the at least one forced air heatingunit may not be coupled to a lateral support and may be coupled to asupport cross bar that is in fluid communication with the at least onecross bar. In some embodiments, the heated towel rack may include astopper that is obstructively positioned within the conduit proximal tothe second lateral support to prevent heated air to enter the channel ofthe second lateral support. In some embodiments, the conduit may tapertowards the first lateral support, such that the width of the conduit asit approaches the second lateral support is wider than the width of theconduit near the first lateral support.

In some embodiments, the heated towel rack may be configured with atleast two lateral supports that comprise a first section and a secondsection. The first section may be proximal to the at least one forcedair heating unit. The second section may be distal to the at least oneforced air heating unit. The conduits of the plurality of cross bars inthe second section may be larger than plurality of vents in the firstsection to evenly distribute the airflow through the towel rack.

In some embodiments, the heated towel rack may include an attachablearoma therapy element comprising one or more of: a clip, a housing, atleast one slot, and/or a scented compound. The scented compound may bepositioned within the housing. The at least one slot may traversethrough the housing. The attachable aroma therapy element may beconfigured to couple to a cross bar adjacent to a vent. The at least oneslot may be operatively aligned with the vent in order to allow thescented compound to enter into the surrounding environment via theairflow directed out of the vent and therefore through the housing ofthe aroma therapy element.

In some embodiments, the heated towel rack may be configured with the atleast one cross bar having a cylindrical shape (profile). Alternatively,the heated towel rack may be configured with the at least one cross barhaving a rectangular shape (profile). In some embodiments, the heatedtowel rack may be configured with a plurality of cross bars havingsimilar or dissimilar shapes for each of the cross bars, where a portionof the cross bars may be differently shaped than another portion of thecross bars.

Referencing FIG. 1 through FIG. 5, a heated towel rack 100 is anapparatus for drying and/or warming towels. A towel 102 placed on therack receives heated air forced through a plurality of vents that helpdry and heat a towel to a comfortable temperature. The heated towel rack100 is configured to be mounted or attached to a surface (for example acounter or a wall), but alternative configurations may be provided thatallow the towel rack to be a standing structure on the ground. Theattachment to a wall may comprise adhesive, physical connectors, screws,nails, slots, and/or other connecting elements. In other embodiments,the towel rack may be freestanding and may function without beingattached to a surface or wall.

Referring to FIG. 2, the heated towel rack 100 comprises an at least twolateral supports 202, a forced air heating unit 210, and a plurality ofcross bars 212. The at least two lateral supports 202 are positionedparallel to one another and provide a support structure for the heatedtowel rack 100. In some embodiments, the lateral supports 202 may not bealigned parallel and may form a “V” shape and/or “A” shape. In someembodiments, the at least two lateral supports may be individuallyreferenced as a first lateral support 220 and a second lateral support222. In some embodiments, the towel rack 100 may only comprise a singlelateral support.

As shown in FIG. 4, the at least two lateral supports 202 include achannel 410 that is in fluid communication with the forced air heatingunit 210 and the plurality of cross bars 212. The plurality of crossbars 212 are coupled between the at least two lateral supports 202. Eachcross bar of the plurality of cross bars 212 include a conduit 408 thatis in fluid communication with the channel 410 of at least one lateralsupport of the at least two lateral supports 202. Each cross bar of theplurality of cross bars 212 include at least one vent 218 that traversesinto the conduit 408. In some embodiments, the cross bar 212 maycomprise a plurality of vents, while in other embodiments, the cross bar212 may comprise a single vent 218 that may extend over a portion of thecross bar 212. The vent(s) 218 act as an exhaust point for heated airfrom the forced air heating unit 210. The forced air heating unit 210generates heat and forces air through the channel 410 at least one ofthe lateral supports 202 and through the vents 218 by way of the conduit408. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment where the airflow may bedirected only through the first lateral support 220, while in otherembodiments the airflow could be present in (or directed through) thesecond lateral support 222 and/or both the first lateral support 220 andthe second lateral support 222.

The forced air heating unit 210 forces heated air through the heatedtowel rack 100. In some configurations, the forced air heating unit 210may comprise a fan 406 and a heating element 404. The fan 406 createsthe air movement for forcing or directing heated air through the channel410 of a lateral support of the at least two lateral supports 202. Theheating element 404 generates heat raising the temperature of thesurrounding air that is forced through the heated towel rack 100. Insome configurations, the fan 406 may be positioned between the heatingelement 404 and the channel 410. In alternative configurations, theheating element 404 may be positioned between the fan 406 and thechannel 410.

As shown in FIG. 2, the forced air heating unit 210 may be operatedutilizing a controller 204 communicating with a user device 208 by wayof a wireless communication module 206. A user may operate a userinterface through the user device 208 to communicate control signals forchanging the temperature and volume of air being pushed out through theplurality of vents 218. The control signals would be received by thecontroller 204 through a wireless communication module 206 to controlthe temperature settings of the heating element 404 and the speed of thefan 406. The wireless communication module 206 may communicatewirelessly with the user device 208 through any wireless communicationstechnology including, but not limited to WiFi, near field communications(NFC), Bluetooth, mobile communications standards (e.g., Long TermEvolution (LTE), etc.,), and etc. In some configurations, the controller204 may be accomplished by an electro-mechanical switch that turns thedevice on/off. The electro-mechanical switch may additionallyincorporate a timer mechanism and/or a temperature sensor to controlwhen the forced air heating unit 210 turns on or off. In someembodiments, the controller 204 may be operated via a remote controlconfigured to communicate with the controller 204 via a wirelessconnection, such as infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), or anotherwireless connection. In some embodiments, the controller 204 may beoperated via manual manipulation and/or remote manipulation using any ofthe above described methods.

In some embodiments, the controller 204 may comprise an input for theuser to control the temperature of the air that is directed into thetowel rack 100 via the forced air heating unit 210. In some embodiments,the heating element 404 may be optionally activated or not activatedwith the fan 406, depending on if the user wishes for the air directedout of the vents 218 to be heated or room temperature. In someembodiments, the heating element 404 may comprise multiple heatsettings, where a user may choose one of a plurality of heat settingsvia the controller 204 and/or communication with the controller 204.

In some embodiments, the towel rack 100 may comprise a power source 209configured to power the other elements of the towel rack 100. Forexample, the power source 209 may comprise battery power, where one ormore battery may be connected to a part of the towel rack 100 and incommunication with the controller 204 and/or the forced air heating unit210. The power source 209 may also comprise corded, plug-in, orhard-wired power, where a cord may be connected to a part of the towelrack 100 and in communication with the controller 204 and/or the forcedair heating unit 210.

In some configurations, more than one forced air heating unit 210 may beutilized in the heated towel rack. In a two unit arrangement, one forcedair heating unit may be positioned on the lower portion of one lateralsupport, while the other forced air heating unit may be positioned theopposite end of the neighboring lateral support. Alternatively, one ormore fans may be positioned on (or within) one or more support cross bar(which may be parallel to cross bars and attached to the lateralsupports). In some embodiments, the towel rack may comprise two or morefans positioned on the support cross bars, where each of the multiplefans may direct airflow to only a portion of the cross bars and vents.For example, a first fan may provide airflow to an upper portion of thetowel rack (and may be positioned on the upper portion of the towelrack), and a second fan may provide airflow to a lower portion of thetowel rack (and may be position on the lower portion of the towel rack).

In some configurations, the forced air heating unit 210 may include morethan one heating element 404. In some embodiments, the heatingelement(s) 404 may be positioned within the conduit 408 and/or withinthe channel 410 and may be utilized in addition to or as an alternativeto the single heating unit configurations that have been previouslydescribed. In some embodiments, the fan 406 of the forced air heatingunit 210, and/or the entire forced air heating unit 210, may bepositioned anywhere on the towel rack 100 that is in fluid communicationwith the channel 410, the conduit 408, and/or the vents 218. Forexample, the forced air heating unit 210 may be positioned on one of thesupport cross bars (described above), wherein the support cross bar(s)may comprise a channel within the support cross bar to provide fluidcommunication between the forced air heating unit 210 and the rest ofthe towel rack (i.e., the conduit, channels, and/or vents).

In the example shown in FIG. 2 through FIG. 5, the heated towel rack 100is configured with a single forced air heating unit 210 positioned onthe lower portion of a lateral support. The region proximal to theforced air heating unit 210 is considered the first section 214, whilethe region distal to the forced air heating unit 210 is considered thesecond section 216. Similarly, the lateral support coupled to the forcedair heating unit 210 is considered the first lateral support 220, whilethe other lateral support is considered the second lateral support 222.

To help improve airflow from the forced air heating unit 210 through thechannel 410 and subsequently the conduit 408 of the plurality of crossbars 212, the conduit 408 of the plurality of cross bars 212 in thesecond section 216 may be larger than the conduit 408 in the firstsection 214. Additionally, the plurality of vents 218 in the secondsection 216 may be larger than the plurality of vents 218 in the firstsection 214. Through changing the width of either, or in combination,the plurality of vents 218 of the conduit 408, the flow rate andtemperature of heated air through the plurality of vents 218 may beconsistent across all of the plurality of vents 218. In someembodiments, the number of vents 218 may be different in the firstsection 214 and the second section 216 to provide consistent airflow toall of the vents 218.

In some embodiments, one or more of the cross bars 212 may comprisevents 218 on the back side of the cross bar 212. In some embodiments,one or more of the cross bars 212 may comprise vents 218 on the frontside and/or the back side of the cross bar 212. In some embodiments, oneor more of the cross bars 212 may not comprise vents 218 while othercross bars 212 may comprise vents 218. Also, in some embodiments, somecross bars may comprise a greater number of vents than other cross bars.

The heated towel rack 100 may also incorporate at least one stopper 402to help airflow through the conduit 408 of the plurality of cross bars212. A stopper 402 is obstructively positioned within a cross bar 212 onthe end of the cross bar 212 proximal to the second lateral support 222.In some embodiments, any number of the cross bars 212 may comprise astopper 402. In some embodiments, one or more of the cross bars 212 maynot comprise a stopper to allow for fluid communication between thechannels 410 of the lateral supports 220 and 222. In someconfigurations, more than one forced air heating unit 210 may beincorporated into a heated towel rack, the stopper 402 may not be neededin these configurations. In some configurations, the stopper 402 may beutilized to block portions of the channel 410 within the lateral supportthat do not interface with the conduit 408. In some configurations, theconduit 408 may taper such that the width of the conduit 408 towards thesecond lateral support 222 is larger than the width of the conduit 408proximal to the first lateral support 220.

In some embodiments, one or more elements of the towel rack 100 maycomprise a metal material. In some embodiments, one or more elements ofthe towel rack 100 may comprise a plastic material, such as athermoplastic, a polymer, and/or another plastic material. In someembodiments, one or more elements of the towel rack 100 may comprise aceramic material. The material may be selected to prevent damage fromheating by the heating elements of the forced air heating unit.

In some embodiments, the towel rack 100 may comprise snap fitcomponents, wherein the towel rack 100 may ship in multiple pieces orcomponents which may then be assembled by a customer. In someembodiments, a front surface or panel (i.e., that faces away from thewall when the towel rack 100 is install onto a wall) may be configuredto be replaceable and may comprise a variety of colors or designs. Insome embodiments, additional front surfaces or panels may be soldseparately from the towel rack 100. This may be useful for a user whohas installed the towel rack 100 in their bathroom or other room, andthen changes the decorations or design of the room, and then wish tochange the appearance of the towel rack 100 to coordinate with the newdesign.

In some embodiments, the towel rack 100 may be sized to fit oraccommodate a particular size of towel or other garment. For example,the towel rack 100 may be sized to fit a bath sheet, a body towel, ahand towel, a washcloth, a robe, or another garment.

Referencing FIG. 6 through FIG. 8, an attachable aroma therapy element600 may couple over at least one vent 218 on a cross bar 212 of theheated towel rack 100 allowing a scented compound to be released withthe heated air that exits the vent 218. As shown in FIG. 8, theattachable aroma therapy element 600 comprises a plurality of slots 802,a housing 804, and a clip 806. The plurality of slots 802 traversethrough the housing 804 creating a passage for heated air to exit whenthe attachable aroma therapy element 600 is placed over a vent 218. Inother words, the slots 802 may extend through to the back surface of thevent 218. The housing 804 holds the scented compound in place allowingheated air from the vent 218 to pass through the plurality of slots 802and carrying the scented compound into the surrounding space. Thescented compound may be configured as a disposable insert. The clip 806functions as the attachment mechanism for securing the attachable aromatherapy element 600 to the cross bar 212. The clip 806 may couple to thecross bar 212 adjacent to the vent 218 to allow the plurality of slots802 to align with the vent 218.

Referencing FIG. 9, a heated towel rack 900 is an alternativeconfiguration of the heated towel rack 100 (as shown in FIG. 1) with theplurality of cross bars 912 being rectangularly shaped such that theyhave a rectangular profile. The heated towel rack 900 comprises a forcedair heating unit 210, at least two lateral supports 202, and a pluralityof cross bars 912. In the heated towel rack 100 shown in FIG. 1, theplurality of cross bars 212 are generally cylindrical in shape with theplurality of vents 218 having a semi elliptical profile. In the heatedtowel rack 900, the plurality of cross bars 912 of the heated towel rack900 are rectangular in shape. The plurality of vents 218 of theplurality of cross bars 912 may have a rectangular profile. In someconfigurations, the plurality of vents 218 may have any shape profile(e.g., elliptical, tear drop, etc.,) to vent the forced heated air.

The term “wireless communication” in this context refers to the transferof information between two or more points that are not connected by anelectrical conductor. Common wireless technologies use electromagneticwireless telecommunications, such as radio. With radio waves distancescan be short, such as a few meters for television, or as far asthousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radiocommunications. Wireless communication encompasses various types offixed, mobile, and portable applications, including two-way radios,cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wirelessnetworking. Other examples of applications of radio wireless technologyinclude GPS units, garage door openers, wireless computer mice,keyboards and headsets, headphones, radio receivers, satellitetelevision, broadcast television and cordless telephones. Less commonmethods of achieving wireless communications include the use of light,sound, magnetic, or electric fields.

The term “user interface” in this context refers to logic to receivesignals from device inputs such as a mouse, keyboard, or microphone, andto correlate those inputs with visual features rendered on an opticaldisplay. A user interface determines how a human operator interacts withand controls a device. User interfaces are comprised of elements withwhich the human operator interacts to affect device behavior. Examplesof user interface elements are (1) command language (text): the operatorinputs program-specific instructions or codes into the device, (2)menus: the operator selects elements from displayed lists, (3) buttons:the operator selects (typically by clicking the mouse cursor on) definedareas of the display.

Having described various devices and methods herein, exemplaryembodiments or aspects can include, but are not limited to:

In a first embodiment, a heated towel rack may comprise at least onelateral support; at least one forced air heating unit in fluidcommunication with a channel within the lateral support; at least onecross bar coupled to the at least one lateral support; wherein the atleast one cross bar comprises at least one vent that traverses into aconduit within the cross bar; and wherein the channel of the lateralsupport is in fluid communication with the at least one vent by way ofthe conduit of the cross bar.

A second embodiment can include the heated towel rack of the firstembodiment, comprising a plurality of lateral supports.

A third embodiment can include the heated towel rack of the first orsecond embodiments, comprising a plurality of vents.

A fourth embodiment can include the heated towel rack of any of thefirst through third embodiments, wherein the at least one forced airheating unit comprises at least one heating element, a fan, and acontroller, and wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the atleast one heating element and the fan to control air temperature andflow through the plurality of vents.

A fifth embodiment can include the heated towel rack of any of the firstthrough fourth embodiments, further comprising a first lateral supportand a second lateral support, wherein the at least one forced airheating unit is coupled to the first lateral support.

A sixth embodiment can include the heated towel rack of the fifthembodiment, wherein at least one stopper is obstructively positionedwithin the conduit proximal to the second lateral support.

A seventh embodiment can include the heated towel rack of the fifth orsixth embodiment, comprising a plurality of cross bars and furthercomprising a plurality of stoppers obstructively positioned withconduits of each of the plurality of cross bars proximal to the secondlateral support.

In some embodiments, the conduit tapers towards the first lateralsupport.

An eighth embodiment can include the heated towel rack of any of thefirst through seventh embodiments, wherein the at least two lateralsupports comprises a first section and a second section; wherein thefirst section is proximal to the at least one forced air heating unit;wherein the second section is distal to the at least one forced airheating unit; and wherein a conduit of a cross bar in the second sectionis larger than a conduit of a cross bar in the first section.

A ninth embodiment can include the heated towel rack of any of the firstthrough eighth embodiments, further comprising an attachable aromatherapy element comprising a clip, a housing, a plurality of slots, anda scented compound, wherein the scented compound is positioned withinthe housing, wherein the plurality of slots traverse the housing,wherein the attachable aroma therapy element being coupled to the crossbar adjacent to a vent of the plurality of vents by way of the clip, andwherein the plurality of slots are operatively aligned with the vent.

A tenth embodiment can include the heated towel rack of any of the firstthrough eighth embodiments, comprising a plurality of cross bars.

In some embodiments, the plurality of cross bars are cylindricallyshaped.

In some embodiments, the plurality of cross bars are rectangularlyshaped.

In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of cross barscomprise at least one vent.

In an eleventh embodiment, a method for assembling a towel drying rackmay comprise connecting one or more lateral supports to a plurality ofcross bars; fluidly connecting a channel within at least one of thelateral supports to conduit within each of the plurality of cross bars;fluidly connecting the conduit with at least one vent formed into thecross bars, wherein the at least one vent is configured to directairflow out of the towel drying rack; and fluidly connecting a forcedair unit to at least one of the channel and the conduit.

A twelfth embodiment can include the method of the eleventh embodiment,further comprising directing airflow, by the forced air unit, into thechannel within the at least one lateral support; directing airflow fromthe channel into the plurality of conduits positioned within theplurality of cross bars attached to the lateral support element; anddirecting airflow from the conduits out of the at least one vent in thecross bars toward a towel or other garment.

A thirteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the eleventh ortwelfth embodiments, further comprising fluidly connecting one or moreheating elements to one or more of the forced air unit, the conduit, andthe channel.

A fourteenth embodiment can include the method of the thirteenthembodiment, further comprising heating airflow generated by the forcedair unit before the airflow exits the at least one vent of the crossbars.

A fifteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the elevenththrough fourteenth embodiments, further comprising: connecting acontroller to one or more of the elements of the towel rack; andmanually or remotely controlling the operation of the towel rack via thecontroller.

A sixteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the elevenththrough fifteenth embodiments, further comprising attaching one or morearoma therapy element over one or more of the vents of the cross bars.

In a seventeenth embodiment, a garment drying rack may comprise at leastone lateral support comprising a channel within the interior of thelateral support; at least one forced air unit in fluid communicationwith the channel within the lateral support configured to generateairflow into the channel; at least one cross bar comprising a conduitpositioned within the interior of the cross bar, wherein the conduit isin fluid communication with the channel; and a plurality of vents influid communication with the conduit, the channel being in fluidcommunication with the plurality of vents by way of the conduit.

An eighteenth embodiment can include the garment drying rack of theseventeenth embodiment, further comprising one or more heating elementsin fluid communication with one or more of the forced air unit, theconduit, and the channel, the heating elements configured to heat theairflow before it exits the vents.

A nineteenth embodiment can include the garment drying rack of theseventeenth or eighteenth embodiments, further comprising at least onearoma therapy element positioned over at least one of the ventsconfigured to provide a scent that is spread via the airflow exiting thevent.

A twentieth embodiment can include the garment drying rack of any of theseventeenth through nineteenth embodiments, wherein the rack is sized tofit a particular garment to be dried.

In some embodiments, the garment drying rack may comprise a first crossbar, a second cross bar, and a third cross bar. In some embodiments, thegarment drying rack may comprise a first vent, a second vent, and athird vent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A towel rack comprising: a first section, whereinthe first section comprises a plurality of first section cross barscoupled thereto and wherein each of the plurality of first section crossbars comprise a first section cross bar conduit; at least one firstsection vent, wherein the at least one first section vent traverses thefirst section cross bar conduit of at least one of the plurality offirst section cross bars; a second section, wherein the second sectioncomprises a plurality of second section cross bars coupled thereto andwherein each of the plurality of second section cross bars comprise asecond section cross bar conduit; at least one second section vent,wherein the at least one second section vent traverses the secondsection cross bar conduit of at least one of the plurality of secondsection cross bars; a plurality of lateral supports, wherein the firstsection and the second section are fluidly connected via the pluralityof lateral supports; at least one forced air unit in fluid communicationwith a channel within the plurality of lateral supports; wherein thechannel within the plurality of lateral supports is in fluidcommunication with the at least one first section vent, the at least onesecond section vent, or combinations thereof, and wherein the secondsection cross bar conduit is larger than the first section cross barconduit.
 2. The towel rack of claim 1, further comprising at least oneheating element and a controller, wherein the at least one forced airunit comprises an air moving component, and wherein the controller isoperatively coupled to the at least one heating element and the airmoving component to control air temperature and flow through the atleast one vent.
 3. The towel rack of claim 2, wherein the at least oneheating element is located in the at least one forced air unit.
 4. Thetowel rack of claim 2, wherein the at least one heating element islocated in at least one of the plurality of lateral supports.
 5. Thetowel rack of claim 2, wherein the at least one heating element islocated in the first section.
 6. The towel rack of claim 2, wherein theat least one heating element is located in the second section.
 7. Thetowel rack of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lateral supportscomprise a first lateral support and a second lateral support, whereinthe at least one forced air unit is coupled to the first lateralsupport.
 8. The towel rack of claim 7, wherein at least one stopper isobstructively positioned within the conduit proximal to the secondlateral support.
 9. The towel rack of claim 7, comprising a plurality ofstoppers obstructively positioned within at least one first sectioncross bar conduit, at least one second section cross bar conduit, orcombinations thereof, and proximal to the second lateral support. 10.The towel rack of claim 1, further comprising an attachable aromatherapy element comprising a clip, a housing, at least one slot, and ascented compound, wherein: the scented compound is positioned within thehousing; the at least one slot traverses the housing; the attachablearoma therapy element is coupled to at least one of the plurality offirst section cross bars or to at least one of the plurality of firstsection cross bars adjacent to at least one first section vent or atleast one second section vent by way of the clip; and the at least oneslot is operatively aligned with the at least one first section vent orthe at least one second section vent.
 11. The towel rack of claim 1,wherein at least two of the plurality of first section cross barscomprise at least one first section vent, at least two of the pluralityof second section cross bars comprise at least one second section vent,or combinations thereof.
 12. A method for assembling a towel dryingrack, the method comprising: connecting one or more lateral supports toa plurality of cross bars, wherein a first portion of the plurality ofcross bars constitutes a first section of the towel drying rack, andwherein a second portion of the plurality of cross bars constitutes asecond section of the towel drying rack, and wherein a second sectioncross bar conduit is larger than a first section cross bar conduit;fluidly connecting a channel within at least one of the lateral supportsto at least one first section cross bar conduit and at least one secondsection cross bar conduit; fluidly connecting at least one vent formedinto at least one of the plurality of cross bars to at least one firstsection cross bar conduit or at least one second section cross barconduit; and fluidly connecting a forced air unit to at least one of thechannel within at least one of the lateral supports, at least one firstsection cross bar conduit, and at least one second section cross barconduit.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: directingairflow, by the forced air unit, into the channel within the at leastone of the lateral supports; directing airflow from the channel into theat least one first section cross bar conduit, the at least one secondsection cross bar conduit, or combinations thereof; and directingairflow from the at least one first section cross bar conduit, the atleast one second section cross bar conduit, or combinations thereof outof the at least one vent formed into at least one of the plurality ofcross bars toward a towel or garment.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising fluidly connecting one or more heating elements toone or more of the forced air unit, each conduit of the plurality ofcross bars, and the channel.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising heating airflow generated by the forced air unit before theairflow exits the at least one vent formed into at least one of theplurality of cross bars.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:connecting a controller to one or more of the elements of the toweldrying rack; and manually or remotely controlling the operation of thetowel drying rack via the controller.
 17. The method of claim 12,further comprising attaching an aroma therapy element over at least onevent formed into the at least one of the plurality of cross bars.
 18. Agarment drying rack comprising: at least one lateral support comprisinga channel within an interior of the lateral support; at least one forcedair unit in fluid communication with the channel and configured togenerate airflow into the channel; a plurality of cross bars, whereineach of the plurality of cross bars comprise a conduit positioned withinan interior of each of the plurality of cross bars, wherein the conduitof each of the plurality of cross bars is in fluid communication withthe channel, wherein a first portion of the plurality of cross barsconstitutes a first section of the garment drying rack, and wherein asecond portion of the plurality of cross bars constitutes a secondsection of the garment drying rack, and wherein a second section crossbar conduit is larger than a first section cross bar conduit; and aplurality of vents, wherein at least a first vent of the plurality ofvents is in fluid communication with a first conduit of one of theplurality of cross bars and wherein at least a second vent of theplurality of vents is in fluid communication with a second conduit ofone of the plurality of cross bars.
 19. The garment drying rack of claim18, further comprising one or more heating elements in fluidcommunication with one or more of the forced air unit, the conduitpositioned within the interior of each of the plurality of cross bars,and the channel, wherein the one or more heating elements are configuredto heat the airflow before it exits the plurality of vents.
 20. Thegarment drying rack of claim 18, further comprising at least one aromatherapy element positioned over at least one of the plurality of ventsconfigured to provide a scent that is spread via the airflow exiting theat least one of the plurality of vents.